The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) and Jewish Funders Network (JFN) recently announced the recipients of funding under the special matching grants program created in honor of 2016 Genesis Prize Laureate Itzhak Perlman. The announcement identified 22 organizations as grantees of Breaking Barriers, which will fund programs that promote inclusion of those with disabilities in Jewish life. The projects will result in $3.17M in new funds being dedicated to this philanthropic area.

“Together with Itzhak Perlman, we aim to improve the lives of tens of thousands of people with disabilities throughout North America, Israel and the FSU,” said Stan Polovets, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation. “Itzhak’s personal story illustrates humankind’s ability to achieve greatness in the face of adversity. We want to give others an opportunity to achieve their own greatness by enjoying lives filled with dignity, respect, and personal fulfilment.”

This is the second consecutive year that GPF and JFN have conducted a matching grant initiative in honor of a Genesis Prize Laureate. Last year’s matching grant initiative in honor of the 2015 Laureate Michael Douglas resulted in $3.3M in new funds contributed to projects focused on engaging intermarried families in Jewish life.

World-renowned violinist and activist for those with disabilities, Itzhak Perlman, received the 2016 Genesis Prize at a ceremony in Jerusalem. In lieu of accepting the prize money, he directed the funds to promote inclusion of those with disabilities in Jewish life, as well as to support young people pursuing careers in classical music.

One of the winning organizations due to receive funding from the Genesis Prize/JFN initiative includes Hillel International, which is recruiting interns on college campuses around the world who will engage students with disabilities in Jewish life.

“I was honored to receive the Genesis Prize in 2016, and so grateful that the award funds were directed in three critical areas,” commented Itzhak Perlman. “To organizations that are making sure people with disabilities are included in Jewish life, to provide access for those with disabilities to cultural programs, and to support aspiring musicians pursuing their passion.”

By directing the $1M award funds to important philanthropic causes, Perlman followed the tradition of Genesis Prize Laureates who came before him. Michael Bloomberg, the inaugural 2014 Laureate, directed the $1M award to provide funding for the Genesis Generation Challenge, a competition for young social entrepreneurs working on projects to improve the lives of thousands throughout the world in areas of healthcare, sanitation, and technology. Michael Douglas, the 2015 Laureate, directed his $1M prize award, along with another $1M matched by philanthropist Roman Abramovich, to initiatives which engage intermarried families in Jewish life. The 2017 Genesis Prize Laureate Anish Kapoor will direct his prize award to help alleviate the refugee crisis.

“The impact of this initiative goes beyond these grants,” said Andrés Spokoiny, President and CEO of JFN. “The gifts being matched, as well as the whole range of amazing projects submitted, represent new donors and newly increased levels of giving to this vital field. I want to express my gratitude to the Genesis Prize Foundation and its partner, philanthropist Roman Abramovich, who were inspired by Itzhak Perlman to support this critically important initiative that will have a transformative effect on Jewish life.”

In addition to grants distributed in North America and Israel, Genesis Prize Foundation made a significant gift in honor of Mr. Perlman to the Maccabi World Union in order to bring Russian Jewish Paralympic athletes to the 20th Maccabiah Games in Israel this July. This gift was made possible due to the contribution of Roman Abramovich and his wife Dasha Zhukova.